Interpersonal Therapy

Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a form of psychotherapy used to treat mental health conditions known as “psychological disorders.” It focuses on resolving the individual’s current personal relationships, communication, and social skills. IPT was developed in the 1940s by psychiatrist Gerald Klerman and has changed over the years to incorporate new findings from the fields of cognitive neuroscience, attachment studies, and social psychology. Traditional medical systems, however, have used “interpersonal therapies” for millennia to treat mental disorders. For example, classical Chinese medicine traditionally treated mental symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, with interpersonal approaches. This included practices such as “talking therapy” and “regulating diet and lifestyle.” Patients would be encouraged to talk about their concerns with an experienced physician and to identify their triggering or underlying emotional causes. Ayurveda is another important traditional medical system with a long history of treating mental disorders with interpersonal therapies, such as individual counseling and family therapy. Such therapies focus on strengthening relationships, learning effective communication skills, and resolving disputes. Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda emphasize the patient-practitioner relationship, which is an essential component of IPT. In IPT, the therapist creates a safe and supportive environment to allow the patient to explore and express their feelings. The therapist then works out a plan to help the patient improve their interpersonal skills, resolve conflicts, and make necessary changes in their lives and relationships. Both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda recognize the importance of developing a bond within the relationship to achieve healing. Therefore, the approach of IPT is not new but has been rediscovered and practiced in traditional forms of medicine for centuries. Traditional medicine calls for an understanding of the affective, ecclesial, and social context in which the individual’s emotional condition exists. In traditional medicine, the healer’s role is more than just providing medication as it is also to observe, diagnose, and learn from the patient. Traditional practitioners recognize that interpersonal therapy builds emotional resilience and promotes healing.